Matthew 25:14-30
The Challenge of Discipleship Study 11: Stewardship
Focus Question: What is your typical response when someone gives you a lavish gift?
Word of Life
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few
things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Matthew 25:21
Read Matthew 25:14-30
The parable of the talents follows immediately after the parable of the wise and foolish maidens. A talent
was the largest monetary unit of the ancient world. One talent was equal to 6,000 denarii. The amount
entrusted to the servants is huge, implying a great deal of trust on behalf of the master.
The servants in the parable do not know how long the master will be gone, but they are to be vigilant
and faithful until the master returns. The servants will be held accountable for how they use the
resources entrusted to them while the master is gone.
1. Were the servants actively working on the master’s behalf, or were they only concerned about
their own security? How so?
2. Why would the master trust the servants with so much money?
Note the familiar theme of grace in the parable. All are given the gift of talents; none is left outside the
gift of grace. The challenge in this parable (as in all of Matthew) for the disciple is: What will we do with
the lavish, generous gifts the master has given?
3. How would you assess the stewardship practices of each of the servants?
4. Should all of the servants been given the same amount of talents? Why or why not?
The first two servants “went off at once” to multiply the gift (vs. 16-17). They trusted in their relationship
with the master. They were future-focused, willing to risk for the master’s increase. In contrast, the one-
talent servant fearfully focused on the past. “I knew you were a harsh man… so, I was afraid.” He did
not trust that his relationship with the master could risk failure. He did not trust his own abilities. His fear
immobilized him and led him to hide the gift until the master’s return.
5. Why did the master respond differently to each servant?
6. How would you describe each of the servants using modern images?
Applying this parable to the church, the message is clear. Do we encourage one another to try to avoid
disaster; or do we foster an attitude of trust and faithfulness, of willing risk-taking for the increase of the
kingdom? There are some who put the gifts into action. And there are some who, out of fear, doubt, or
selfishness, choose to keep it all for themselves and fail to see that the gifts given are intended to be
invested on behalf of others. To these is spoken the word of judgment: If you try to keep the gift for
yourself alone, you will lose everything.
7. Where do you find yourself in the parable?
8. What is the message of this parable for you?
9. How might you encourage people to use their gifts?
Prayer
Giver of all gifts, help us to be good stewards of your gifts.
Dig Deeper
Last Word
This week,
assess your God-given gifts and your stewardship of those gifts.